They're Out...

Seven pieces came out of the gas kiln. These two are my favorites.
I really am experimenting these days with surface design. These have wax resist and then spotted shino and alfred's blue, fired at cone 10. The kiln as a whole had much more oxidation in usual, resulting in the spotted shino being whitish. A little soda ash was sprinkled on the outside; it's hard to see, but is more evident on the one on the left.

Here are all seven. I was disappointed with the one third, from the left. They all have spotted shino glaze on them as a base, which turned out mostly white. I'm learning lots in all this.
Even the insides, which are all spotted shino glaze, are more white than usual. I wasn't the only one who was surprised at the results. This sometimes happens with kilns. You never know how the pottery will turn out! So, I have much to learn in all this. Simple is good, I keep telling myself.
Meanwhile, my plants are getting settled. Here is a beautiful cactus planter that was given to me from a good friend. When I received it, most of the plants were about gone and there were only a few. So, I bought a few succulents at Lowe's and waited.
Found this on the front porch. Anyone know what kind of spider this is? It has a dark brown/black stripe down its back. I showed it the front lawn, and pushed it in that direction, encouraging it to go in that direction.
Helped to get the studio ready for the Spring Sale tomorrow night. Elaine brought some goldfish with this great round symbol in the bag.
Also cleaned my shelf at Clayworks. Here it is. I'm amazed I can do so much with the tools on this small amount of space! I'm ready for the spring classes which begin next week!

Sopa de Chairo (Chairo Soup)

I don't eat soup often, and when I do, it's usually not from a can or a package. Yet, this is an exception.

I'm half Bolivian and I've had this soup mix for gosh, knows how long, but it's dried ingredients inside.. so I decided to give it a try anyway.

I also can't go out and get it-- I think. It's this chairo soup, a bolivian soup made of chuno (supposed to have that ~ over the n; it is dehydrated potatoes, onion, carrots, potatoes, white corn called choclo, and spices.). Bolivians make good soup; my abuela (grandmother) makes the best soup. So, I added a potato (did you know that Bolivia and Peru are THE places to find good potatoes?) and yum... this is the second best thing to eating soup made by my abuela. She would laugh too, if she knew that I was making soup this way and eating it in a bowl that I've made.

Hmmm gotta see if I can find this brand of soup here in the States.
My father is going to visit our extended family there and I hope to send some small bowls for my abuelos and aunts and uncles there. :) How I miss them!

Morning

Well, it's amazing that I've been able to find these two in the midst of moving. They are my companions each morning: orange juice and coffee; both are a must. Today, I'll unpack and unpack and unpack, plus look for work. Drinking my favorite hazelnut coffee is a good start. Here, the one cup is waiting for the coffee to brew. It was worth the wait.
It's also been lots of fun to read others blogs. I am learning so much! I recommend that everyone try beginning their day with a cup of coffee and a computer, reading potter blogs. :)

Clayworks Spring Sale, etc...

This next weekend, Clayworks has their Spring Sale. If you're close to or live in Charlotte, come on Friday evening or on Saturday during the day. Friday evening is an especially great time to come, esepcially since there will be munchies and wine, etc. Three ceramic artist guests will be there too: Jim Whalen, Allison McGowan, and Tomoo Kitamura. The pic on this postcard is one of Jen Mecca's pieces. All in all, the weekend will be a bunch of fun. My work won't be for sale there cause I'm a student, but maybe someday, I'll have the $ to be a resident artist. Instead, one of my plates will be on display with the other students.

So, there's been lots of cleaning going on in the studio this week. Even so, I was able to glaze these earthen red slipware pieces. These are plates for an upcoming order and some cups.

Seven pieces of mine also came out of the gas kiln today. My camera is on the fritz, but I'll make sure to include pics tomorrow. I liked most of them.